#thriller author

[xfhsfh]

I used to read a lot of Serge Brussolo’s books as a teen and young adult (french horror/thriller author)

I loved them, I lived the eeriness and the ambiance of those stories

I reread some of them recently because of a burst of nostalgia

…

They kind of suck actually…

Nobody understands the bond between a girl and the mediocre book she read when she was 13 years old.

[subjective-raven]

Hey everybody! I wrote a book! It comes out on September 17th 2024.

It’s a magical realism thriller anthology of four short stories and five poems! Each stand alone short story is set in a different season. Each story says something different about the human condition.

In “Dottie’s Final Day,” a reaper comes to Dottie Lyre in her garden. What does an elderly mother choose to do on her last day alive?

“The Door,” appears suddenly and disappears just as fast. What’s on the other side? Why won’t the door sit still? Jane’s going to find out.

Please share this with anyone you think might be interested! You can preorder the e-book on Amazon now for .99c and the paperback will be available SEPTEMBER 17th for $10.99! The price will go up a few dollars September 28th but I’ll also be getting a larger percentage of the sale.

I’ve been writing my entire life and this is my first published book so pleaseeee if you are reading this, this book is for anyone middle school to grave. It’s only like 142 pages and the cover is really pretty if you would rather just have a pretty trophy and leave me a review on Amazon like you read it and it was awesome then I also love you.

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery Tropes with Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, Whodunit and Slasher for Writers

The Detective - The main investigator of the crime, possibly with a supernatural edge.

The Red Herring - False clues or suspects designed to mislead.

The Locked Room Mystery - A crime committed under seemingly impossible circumstances.

The Butler Did It - A classic misdirection where a seemingly minor character is suspected.

The Femme Fatale - A seductive woman with potential hidden motives.

The Alibi - Evidence of suspects' whereabouts during the crime.

The Gathering of Suspects - Bringing all suspects together for the final reveal.

The Amateur Sleuth - An ordinary person drawn into solving the mystery.

The Police Inspector - A professional law enforcement officer involved in the investigation.

The Mysterious Stranger - A new arrival with unknown motives.

The Hidden Motive - Characters with secret reasons for their actions.

The Unreliable Witness - Witnesses with contradictory or biased testimonies.

The Hidden Clue - Seemingly insignificant details that are key to solving the mystery.

The Confession - A character admitting to the crime, often under false pretenses.

The Final Twist - An unexpected revelation at the end of the story.

The False Confession - A confession made to protect someone else.

The Cover-Up - Characters attempting to hide their involvement in the crime.

The Intimate Setting - A small, closed environment where everyone is connected.

The Victim's Secret - The murdered person had a hidden past or secret.

The Revelation Scene - The detective explains the solution to the mystery.

Paranormal/Horror Elements

The Cursed Object - An artifact tied to the victim that brings misfortune.

The Haunted House - The murder site known for ghostly occurrences.

The Vengeful Spirit - The ghost of a previous victim seeking revenge.

The Demon Possession - Indications that the victim or suspect was possessed.

The Shapeshifter - Rumors of a creature changing forms, adding confusion.

The Supernatural Detective - An investigator with paranormal abilities.

The Blood Moon - A rare celestial event coinciding with the murder.

The Psychic Medium - A medium providing cryptic clues from the spirit world.

The Ancient Ritual - The murder tied to a forbidden dark ritual.

The Disappearing Body - The victim's body vanishes, leaving eerie evidence.

The Doppelgänger - A sinister double causing confusion and fear.

The Possessed Doll - A creepy doll inhabited by an evil spirit.

The Time Loop - The murder repeating itself in a time loop.

The Night Terrors - Horrific nightmares providing clues to the murder.

The Sinister Prophecy - An old prophecy predicting the murder.

The Evil Twin - A malevolent twin emerging, complicating the investigation.

The Necromancer - A character raising the dead to manipulate events.

The Shape-Shifter - A creature changing forms, difficult to track.

The Forbidden Book - A dark magic tome found at the crime scene.

The Mysterious Fog - Supernatural fog hiding crucial evidence.

The Living Portrait - A portrait that moves, providing eerie clues.

The Witch's Familiar - An animal linked to a witch, influencing events.

Slasher Whodunit Elements

The Masked Killer - The murderer hides their identity behind a mask, creating fear and mystery.

The Final Girl - A trope where one girl, often resourceful and strong, survives the killer's rampage.

The Isolated Location - The setting is cut off from the outside world, increasing tension and fear.

The High Body Count - Multiple victims are killed throughout the story, each death more gruesome than the last.

The Survivor's Guilt - Characters who survive the killer's attacks feel intense guilt and paranoia.

The Urban Legend - The murders are connected to a local legend or myth that many believed to be just a story.

The Creepy Warning - A strange character gives a foreboding warning about the danger that lies ahead.

The Phone Call - The killer taunts the victims or the detective with eerie phone calls.

The Chase Scene - Thrilling sequences where characters are pursued by the killer, creating high tension.

The Brutal Weapon - The killer uses a distinctive, often gruesome weapon, like a machete or chainsaw.

The False Safety - Characters believe they are safe, only to find out the killer is still near.

The Dark Past - The killer's motives are tied to a traumatic event in their history.

The Power Outage - A sudden loss of power plunges the setting into darkness, heightening fear.

The Split Up - Characters decide to split up to cover more ground, often leading to their doom.

The Hidden Lair - The killer has a hidden lair where they plot and prepare for their attacks.

The Betrayal - A trusted character is revealed to be an accomplice or the killer.

The Fake-Out Death - A character appears to be dead but later reveals they survived.

The Booby Traps - The killer sets traps to catch and kill the victims in inventive ways.

The Creepy Clue - An unsettling object or message left by the killer, serving as a taunt or clue.

The Frantic Escape - Desperate attempts to escape the killer, often through dangerous or narrow paths.

Occult Fantasy Elements

The Magical Artifact - A powerful item with dark magical properties, central to the plot.

The Enchanted Forest - A mystical forest where occult rituals and creatures reside.

The Coven - A secret group of witches or warlocks practicing dark arts.

The Prophecy - A foretold event involving dark forces and mystical events.

The Secret Society - A hidden group with its own occult agenda, influencing events from the shadows.

The Sorcerer - A powerful magic user who may be an ally or an antagonist, often dabbling in forbidden magic.

The Occult Creature - Beings like demons, dark fairies, or shadowy entities that play a role in the story.

The Cursed Bloodline - A family with a dark curse affecting their fate, passed down through generations.

The Forbidden Spell - A dangerous spell that holds the key to solving the mystery or defeating the antagonist.

The Hidden Realm - A secret world or dimension that characters can access through occult means.

The Quest for the Dark Grimoire - A journey undertaken by the characters to find an important book of dark magic.

The Ancient Rune - Mystical symbols that provide clues or have magical effects.

The Time Portal - A gateway that allows characters to travel through time, often tied to occult practices.

The Occult Warrior - A skilled fighter who protects others using magical abilities and knowledge of the dark arts.

The Healer with Forbidden Knowledge - A character with the ability to heal using dark or forbidden magic.

The Shape-Shifting Demon - A being that can change its form at will, adding layers of deception.

The Enchanted Weapon - A weapon imbued with dark magical properties, essential for defeating the antagonist.

The Book of Shadows - A book containing powerful spells and rituals that characters seek or use.

The Dark Oracle - A seer who provides cryptic prophecies and guidance, often with a sinister twist.

The Elemental Forces - Characters or creatures that control the elements (fire, water, earth, air) through occult means.

[pumpkin-angle]

If you like, mystery, vampires, supernatural thrillers light novels. Then I am happy to tell you that Shadows Sing Vol.2 is now available for pre-order. Follow Roxanne Van Kurt as she tries to find the truth of how her mother died and navigate in the world of the night where her father lives.

Just a quick note that there will be strong language, adult themes, discussion of violences, and further books will have fights.

Hope that all you gems enjoy.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143974436?ean=9798218248567

[itsfullofstars]

It's official: I'm publishing my first work of fiction, the unhinged novella SKIN & BONES, on 10/22/24 (just in time for Halloween). Pre-order the ebook now!

A mind-bending psychological thriller told in first person by a broken man who submits to a bizarre medical experiment in an effort to redeem himself, and loses his mind in the process.

It's Fight Club meets The Parallax View meets E.R. meets Shutter Island... and utterly unique in its own right. A quick, propulsive, hallucinatory read, rich with supernatural elements and medical suspense, SKIN & BONES takes you on a journey into the labyrinth of one man's fractured psyche.

Skull art by @paul.hollingworth - and it's NOT AI!

[bixels]

So I l’ve been getting into your ko crisis story lately (it all sounds rlly awesome btw) and i was curious - you’ve said in the tags in a previous ask that ash is comphet, so is that gonna play a major role in her character arc/journey in any way?

Yeah, the story basically covers her journey of redefining her identity as a queer Asian-American disabled woman in a sports-entertainment industry, which is a media landscape that specifically targets, exploits, and fetishizes people like her.

[thehorrormaven]

Charity Anthology Open Call: We Bite Back

I am excited to announce that through my indie publisher, Pride with a Bite, we are putting together an anthology of queer horror/horror-adjacent and non-fiction works, and all proceeds will go to benefit Human Rights Campaign. As a part of the queer community, this is a cause near and dear to my heart. With the amount of hatred and abuse I have experienced since the election results, as well as…

[romanceclubofficial]

Today we asked Elena K., the author of Astrea's Broken Heart: Out of the story’s characters…

Who’s the biggest snacker, and what’s their favorite snack? Felonia is a busy woman who can't often find time for a full meal. She likes protein bars with a cup of strong coffee. 

Who would be the most likely to lock themselves out of their car? I think only David wouldn't be afraid to get into such a ridiculous situation, and there's even a chance he'd do it on purpose. 

Who would be the first to fall asleep during a movie marathon? I’d say Raphael. He could use a good night's sleep and rest in general.

Who's most likely to talk to their plants? Cassiel. He spends most of his free time in the garden and likes solitude. He is more likely to confide his secrets to plants than to people. 

Who would be the best person to have on your team for a trivia night? Mikael will definitely help your team win. He would also do it gracefully and modestly.

Haven’t met everyone yet? Download Romance Club and play Astrea's Broken Heart!

[petrichorsweaters]

Hey!!

Do you like Good Omens and A Court Of Thorns And Roses?

Then you may just like my book that I'm currently writing, Petrichor! The first in a series that will take you through realms and universes you may be familiar with the name of, but never would have imagined!

Follow Cheshire, a stoic Angel of Justice, as she's thrust into a conspiracy to start the War between Heaven and Hell before the Apocalypse is supposed to begin while trying to clear her name of a crime she didn't commit. Excommunicated from Heaven, but not Fallen, will she survive the forces in the shadows forming this plot? And if she does, will she be able to find the true perpetrator of the crime in time to save the Earth from sure destruction? Unsure of who her allies are and who her enemy is, she will question everything she's ever known as her reality turns upside down.

Updates may be slow, as Life Happens, and I am Just A Girl. But feel free to ask me any questions you may have in my ask box!!

[brandyschillace]

First novel!

UNBOXING! With my cat Darwin to help. Just got the ARC for my book (coming out with Harper Collins this winter). It’s a mystery novel—sort of gothic, with murder and crumbling estates—and the protagonist is neurodivergent! (I’m autistic, myself). Ready for an openly ND citizen-detective? Message me if you’d like an ARC (I have 25 of them). Preview video on my YouTube https://youtu.be/ryJC_w-orzo?si=mXX36CE46wqrcI88

[ak-harper-loves-fiction]

"But it doesn’t stop me from feeling like no matter what I do, I have no one. I can’t tell anyone anything. They’ll leave me one day, right? Everyone always does."

-A.K. Harper

[kiraleighart]

So I heard you like free transmasc psychological thrillers with unkillable bastards surviving hell and finding HEA

In 1997, New York City, a petty criminal named Alex Voss is about to die via bullet shot right between the eyes by his criminal employer: Boris. But was he really a petty criminal, or something even stranger? As all roads lead to death, he recounts his tragic life one last time; murder, sex, drugs, rock and roll, losing his mind and failing at being a true hero. There’s no escape from his tragic ending. At least, that’s how it’s meant to play out. As events fail to line up, is Alex’s mind breaking the fourth wall, has he finally succumbed to madness, or did a deus ex machina from the future save him from himself? It might just be all three, actually.

Hi Tumblr bookworms. I've been sitting on INDIGO VOSS for over a year and I think it's finally time.

If you'd like to champion indie trans literature, please signup for the ARC of INDIGO VOSS. Score an eBook, read, and give me your honest thoughts. Please note there are CWs on the landing page. This is a complex novel about hope against all odds and learning to transcend your damage. Good luck. 💜

Read INDIGO VOSS, Free

[thepersonalwords]

In order to be creative rules cannot exist. The creative mind deserves no less.

Steven Cuoco, Guided Transformation

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery, Occult, Paranormal & Fantasy Prompt Ideas for Writers

1. The Cursed Amulet - A wealthy collector is found dead after acquiring a cursed amulet. The protagonist must uncover the artifact’s dark history to solve the murder.

2. Blood Moon Ritual - During a blood moon, a prominent figure is sacrificed in a forbidden ritual. The investigator discovers a cult trying to summon an ancient deity.

3. Witch’s Grimoire - A renowned witch is murdered, and her grimoire is stolen. The book contains spells powerful enough to alter reality.

4. Haunted Manor - Guests at a secluded manor start dying mysteriously. It’s said the house is haunted by vengeful spirits from a tragic past.

5. Necromancer’s Revenge - A necromancer brings people back from the dead to seek revenge on those who wronged him, resulting in a string of murders.

6. Sorcerer’s Apprentice - An apprentice sorcerer is killed during a magical experiment gone wrong. The protagonist must navigate a web of magical deceit to find the killer.

7. Alchemical Poison - A series of deaths caused by an untraceable poison leads to an alchemist who’s using forbidden knowledge.

8. The Phantom Assassin - A shadowy figure with supernatural abilities is killing off members of a secret society.

9. Demon Pact - A series of murders mimic those described in an ancient text about summoning a demon. The protagonist suspects a pact with dark forces.

10. Arcane Library - A librarian is found dead in a magical library where books can come to life. The books themselves hold clues to the murder.

11. Midnight Masquerade - At a masquerade ball, a guest is killed, and the murder is linked to an ancient ritual involving the masks.

12. Sacred Relic - A sacred relic is stolen, and those connected to its theft are being murdered by a guardian spirit.

13. Time-Worn Curse - An old curse reawakens, killing the descendants of the original cursed family. The investigator must break the curse to stop the murders.

14. Vampire’s Thrall - Murders in a town coincide with the arrival of a charismatic stranger who may be a vampire seeking revenge.

15. Elemental Fury - A mage controlling elemental forces is killing people who wronged him in the past. Each murder is committed using a different element.

16. Runic Inscription - Victims are found with runic inscriptions burned into their skin, leading the protagonist to an ancient prophecy.

17. Ghost Ship - A ship thought lost at sea reappears, its crew murdered. The investigator discovers the ship’s cursed history.

18. Puppet Master - An enchanted puppet is killing those who mistreated its creator, a deceased toymaker.

19. Celestial Alignment - Murders align with celestial events, suggesting a ritualistic pattern. The protagonist races against time to prevent the next murder.

20. Shadow Realm - Victims are being dragged into a parallel shadow realm, their bodies found drained of life.

21. Enchanted Forest - People who enter a forbidden forest are found dead, their bodies entwined with enchanted vines.

22. Murderous Djinn - A djinn, bound to an artifact, is killing people who come into possession of it.

23. Spellbound Love - A love potion gone wrong leads to obsessive love and murder.

24. Seer’s Vision - A seer predicts their own murder and enlists the protagonist to prevent it, but the future seems immutable.

25. Ritual Dagger - A dagger used in ancient sacrifices is rediscovered, and each person who touches it is killed.

26. Charmed Life - A person with a charm for eternal life starts aging rapidly and dies under mysterious circumstances.

27. Mystic Tattoo - A tattoo artist’s clients are being murdered, their tattoos turning into deadly curses.

28. Dragon’s Curse - A dragon’s curse starts killing those who stole from its hoard.

29. Mirror of Truth - An enchanted mirror reveals the darkest secrets of those who look into it, leading to a series of murders.

30. Ghostly Whisperer - A medium is killed by a spirit they summoned, who continues to haunt and kill.

31. Warding Sigil - A town’s protective sigil is broken, unleashing vengeful spirits on the townspeople.

32. Sorcerer’s Duel - A duel between powerful sorcerers results in one’s death, but the victor’s life is now in danger.

33. Forbidden Love - Star-crossed lovers from rival magical factions lead to a series of revenge killings.

34. Haunted Heirloom - An heirloom brings death to the family that inherits it, linked to an ancestor’s dark pact.

35. Shapeshifter’s Hunt - A shapeshifter is targeting a specific group, blending in seamlessly until the protagonist uncovers their true nature.

36. Arcane Academy - A student at a magical academy is killed during a spell-casting exam, and the murder is linked to a dark secret of the school.

37. Spectral Assassin - An assassin’s ghost seeks revenge on those who betrayed him in life.

38. Illusionist’s Game - An illusionist’s final trick results in real deaths, with magic and deception intertwining.

39. Golem Rampage - A golem goes on a killing spree, and the investigator must find its creator to stop it.

40. Philosopher’s Stone - A hunt for the philosopher’s stone leads to deadly competition and betrayal.

41. Mystic Caravan - A traveling caravan brings death wherever it goes, linked to an ancient curse.

42. Sealed Tomb - An ancient tomb is opened, releasing a vengeful spirit that begins killing those responsible.

43. Moonlit Beast - A werewolf’s attacks coincide with the full moon, but this werewolf is being controlled by someone with dark intentions.

44. Soul Harvest - Victims are found with their souls extracted, leading to a dark sorcerer seeking immortality.

45. Witch Hunt - A series of witch trials results in the wrongful deaths of innocents, whose spirits now seek vengeance.

46. Crystal Prophecy - A prophecy within a crystal ball foretells murders, but the seer is manipulating events to fulfill it.

47. Enchanted Theater - Actors in a theater troupe start dying in ways that mimic their cursed roles.

48. Dark Covenant - A secret society’s members are being killed off one by one, linked to a broken blood pact.

49. Doppelganger’s Curse - Victims are replaced by malevolent doppelgangers who are committing murders in their place.

50. Forgotten Sanctuary - An ancient sanctuary is disturbed, releasing an entity that begins killing those who desecrated it.

[mspegasus17]

The Prisoner - Yandere!Seb

Sebastian escaped from Azkaban to meet his old friends again. Word count: 2580 CW: torture, extended su!cide Read it on Wattpad, AO3 or under the cut ⬇️

The North Sea was stormy that night. The waves lashed high and broke on the rough rocks of the prison island. The triangular grey building towered ominously into the dark, cloudy sky. Thunder rumbled. With a loud bang, lightning struck a corner of the prison. Prisoner number 489 took advantage of this and blew open his cell wall with his stolen wand. The guard from whom he had taken the wand will not miss him anymore. This asshole had made it his mission to torture him day in, day out. He had forced the prisoner to watch as he broke his wand and threw it into the waves. He regularly gave him a boggart just to watch him writhe in guilt and then let the Dementors feast on him. The psychological torture was worlds worse than the Cruciatus Curse that he had to endure on a regular basis. The prisoner would rather have experienced physical torture every day than just another day of being confronted with his guilt.

He was already miserable enough. This murder was an accident. He didn't want this. And it cost him everything. He had lost everything that had ever meant anything to him. His sister had left their home and disappeared without a trace. She thought he was a monster. His best friend had turned away from him. The girl he loved had stood by him, but he could sense that she saw him differently after the incident. He had lost his chance of a happy life on that fateful day. His friends had decided not to hand him over to the Ministry of Magic. Still, the prisoner couldn't bear to pretend that everything was fine. He had turned himself in.

At first, his friends visited him regularly. Eventually, only she came. When she visited him last month, the prisoner noticed a ring on her left hand. She told him that she was engaged and her fiancé was none other than his supposed best friend. The prisoner then decided that it was time to break out of this hell. He made a plan, and on this stormy night, the time had finally come.

Now, he had to act quickly. Determined, he went to the other end of his small cell and sprinted off. He barely managed to get enough running. He jumped into the water and missed the rocks by a hair's breadth. Since he had been able to watch the sun through his tiny cell window for over three years, he knew which direction was in which direction. His cell was at the southwestern tip of the building. And he knew that Azkaban was northeast of Scotland. So he just had to keep swimming southwest, and he would eventually arrive home. At least if he made it that far, the exhaustion that had been his constant companion since his imprisonment wouldn't spoil his plans. Or any predatory fish. Or ships. Or the Ministry of Magic. His chances of reaching his destination alive were slim, but his iron will had brought him to his goals many times before, and he would not give up without a fight this time either. Using the stolen wand, he performed the bubble-head spell and finally dived into the dark waves.

Bamburgh, England, three days later

"Prisoner 489 escapes from his cell in Azkaban," read the headline on the front page of The Daily Prophet. A close-up of the escaped prisoner took up half the page. Under the picture it said: "The Ministry of Magic is calling for extreme caution. The murderer, Sebastian Sallow, escaped from his cell in Azkaban on Tuesday evening. He is dangerous. If you have any information about his whereabouts, please immediately contact the Auror Office of the Ministry of Magic. Sebastian Sallow was arrested three years ago for the murder of his uncle, the former Auror Solomon Sallow after he turned himself in. The Aurors recommend not letting strangers into your house.“

Shocked, Charlotte read the lines. "Ominis!" she called to her fiancé. "Sebastian has escaped." "What?" Concerned, the blond man rushed to the black-haired witch. "It's the first headline in The Daily Prophet. Sebastian escaped on Tuesday." Charlotte didn't know what to feel or think about it. On the one hand, she desperately wanted her friend to enjoy a life of freedom, but on the other hand, she was terribly afraid.

The years in Azkaban had changed him. He was only a shadow of his former self. The boy she had once loved was no longer there. During this difficult time, she found comfort in Ominis, his best friend. The two fell in love, and two months ago, he asked her the question of all questions. They were happy together, and when Charlotte visited Sebastian in Azkaban a month ago, she would have thought that he would be happy for them. But when Charlotte told him about her engagement to Ominis, Sebastian's face turned dark. "You're making a mistake," he had said. That had torn her heart apart. She knew that if everything had turned out differently, if Sebastian hadn't lost control back then, that would be his ring on her finger. Then, she would soon be called Sallow and not Gaunt. She loved Ominis with all her heart, but her love for Sebastian had never faded. She still loved him as much as she did before the incident in the catacombs, but she knew they had no future and finally gave up.

And now he was on the run. What was his goal? Would she ever see him again? What if they caught him? Would they kill him or just take him back to Azkaban? Charlotte was terribly worried about her friend. She hoped fervently that nothing would happen to him.

One month later

It was late in the evening on a rainy day in late October. Charlotte and Ominis were eating dinner together in their small home. Suddenly, the front door opened, and a shadowy figure stood in the doorway. Charlotte screamed in alarm and reached for her wand. Whoever was breaking into other houses unannounced at this time of day had no good intentions. Not that burglars had good intentions at different times of day, but with the windows lit up late in the evening, it could only mean disaster.

"I hope you have something left for me. I'm starving," croaked the burglar. Charlotte and Ominis didn't know what to say. "Who are you?" Ominis called out to the uninvited guest. The burglar stepped into the light and pushed his hood off his head. His long, matted hair was wet from the rain, his beard unkempt. "Honestly, Ominis. Don't you recognize your best friend?" "Sebastian!" Charlotte shouted and stormed towards him. Overjoyed, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're okay." Sebastian returned her hug with a smile. "You must be freezing," Charlotte said, shocked when she noticed how wet he was. "Come in and warm yourself up. Have some of the soup; I'll run you a bath." She tenderly stroked his rough cheeks. "You look terrible. I can cut your hair later, and we'll fix you up, okay?" "That sounds good." Sebastian smiled gently at the witch, and she hugged him again before disappearing into the bath.

"How?" Ominis stood in front of the fireplace with his arms crossed and a grim expression. "I'm happy to see you again, too, my friend," Sebastian replied and sat down at the dining table. He took Charlotte's bowl as if it were the most natural thing in the world and slurped the pumpkin soup from it. "Congratulations on your engagement," he said casually to Ominis. "You actually managed to take her away from me after all." "It was her decision, Sebastian." Ominis tried desperately to remain calm. "Just like it was your decision to kill your uncle. Just like it was your decision to turn yourself in." Sebastian's fist slammed onto the table. "It was not my decision to turn myself in, and you know that very well!" he hissed. "You persuaded me to do it. You told me that Anne would never forgive me. You told me that Charlotte would never love a monster like me. You pressured me to do it, Ominis. And you seized the opportunity and turned Charlotte's head. You knew exactly how I felt about her, yet you two are now engaged." "She was miserable when you were arrested, Sebastian. I merely comforted her. It's not my fault that we fell in love." Sebastian's eyes burned with anger. "Of course, it's your fault. She was vulnerable, and you played the hero for her." "Would I have just let her die of grief?" Ominis hissed. "You broke her heart, and I was there for her during that difficult time because you couldn't. Charlotte was devastated and blamed herself. I couldn't just let her die." "No, but you could have kept your dirty hands off her. Charlotte belongs to me, and you know it." Sebastian had now stood up and faced Ominis threateningly. "Charlotte doesn't belong to anyone, Sebastian. She's not an object that can be owned. And she chose me, so get over it."

"Sebastian, the bath is ready," Charlotte chirped from the bathroom. "Please excuse me. I have to let your fiancée pamper me," Sebastian said with a smug grin and strolled into the bathroom. Ominis stood at the fireplace, stunned.

In the bathroom, a hot bath awaited Sebastian, and Charlotte had laid out her scissors and a razor. "Into the water with you, you stinker," she giggled. "Do I really smell that bad?" Sebastian asked, caught out, and began to peel off his soaked clothes. "Worse than bad," Charlotte confirmed his suspicion. Sebastian shrugged with a grin. "In Azkaban, hygiene is not important. You can be happy if you can wash yourself with a bucket of cold water once a week. And on my way here, I hardly had the opportunity to do so." "Now you're here, and you can finally feel like a human again." Charlotte looked at Sebastian's emaciated body with a worried look. "You look like death itself. We really need to get some meat back on your bones." "I'm sure that won't be a problem with your cooking skills," Sebastian replied with a wink. Charlotte blushed. "Then did you like the soup?" "The best thing I've ever eaten in my life."

By now, Sebastian was standing completely naked in front of Charlotte. She tried hard not to let her gaze wander too far down, but her curiosity won the battle, and her eyes fixed on his erection. "Do you like what you see?" Sebastian asked mischievously. Her gaze on him excited him, and he fervently hoped that she felt the same. Embarrassed, Charlotte looked away. "W-we really should wash you now." She pointed to the filled bathtub. Sebastian complied with her request and got into the warm water. His skin tingled pleasantly as he sank into the tub.

He washed himself quietly while Charlotte scrubbed his back and cut his hair. "Will you come with me?" Sebastian broke the silence after a while. Sighing, Charlotte let her hand fall. "I can't." Sebastian turned around in the tub and looked straight into her blue eyes. "Why not?" "You know that, Sebastian. I love Ominis, and I'm going to marry him." "Would you have married me if everything had turned out differently?" he asked sadly. Charlotte fought back tears. She swallowed hard before answering: "Probably, yes. But it just didn't turn out any differently. Ominis was there for me. He gave me support." "Do you love me?" Sebastian's direct question caught Charlotte by surprise. "What? I-" Charlotte closed her eyes in resignation. "I never stopped loving you, Sebastian." That was all he needed to hear. He resolutely placed his hand on her neck and pulled her into a greedy kiss. Caught off guard, Charlotte stiffened. A battle of emotions raged inside her. How long had she longed for his kiss? How often had she imagined what it would be like to feel his lips on hers? And yet she wore Ominis' ring on her finger. Guilt won the battle, and she pushed Sebastian away. "I can't," she sobbed. "I'm sorry." With that, she stood up and left the bathroom, crying.

Sebastian rushed after her, furious. He found her in Ominis's arms in the living room. She was crying bitter tears on his chest. When Ominis noticed him, his face turned red with anger. "You leave our house immediately," he hissed in an icy tone. "No shit will happen," Sebastian replied grimly. Ominis walked threateningly towards Sebastian and pulled out his wand. "You bet. You break into our house, help yourself with our food, let yourself get pampered, and then kiss my fiancée?! I would have expected more from you, Sebastian. You are not welcome here." Sebastian pulled out his stolen wand and pointed it at Ominis. "I can't let you take her away from me. Not again," he hissed. "Crucio!"

A red flash escaped from Sebastian's wand and shot towards Ominis. He collapsed and writhed on the floor in pain. "Sebastian! Stop it!" Charlotte screamed in shock. She ran towards Sebastian, but he immediately pointed his wand at her. "Incarcerus!" Ropes bound Charlotte and prevented her from intervening. "I'm doing this for us. Don't you understand?" Sebastian yelled. Madness flashed in his eyes. He again aimed the torture curse at Ominis, who writhed and groaned. "Please! Stop it!" Charlotte begged him. "I will come with you. But please spare Ominis." Tears ran down her face. Sebastian paused. "You're really going to come with me?" he asked hopefully. Charlotte nodded eagerly. "Good. You heard her, Ominis. She belongs to me."

"Charlotte, please don't do this," croaked Ominis, still lying on the floor. "I'm doing this for you," she replied, sobbing. Groaning, Ominis struggled to his feet. "I will not give up without a fight." Sebastian shrugged dismissively. "Too bad. Avada Kedavra!" Ominis collapsed lifeless to the ground. Charlotte screamed in horror. "What have you done?" "The only thing left for me to do. Now, nothing stands in our way." With a wave of his wand, he loosened Charlotte's bonds. "I will never forgive you for that. You should have stayed in Azkaban." Charlotte's voice trembled, and her whole body shook. "So you're telling me you don't want to be with me?" Sebastian growled through clenched teeth. He pointed angrily at Ominis. "He's dead, Charlotte! He can't take you away from me anymore. You're free! You can come with me." "I was free before, too!" screamed Charlotte. "Being with Ominis was my free decision. And it is my free decision not to go with you. The Ministry of Magic has already been notified. The Aurors are on their way." Realization spread across Sebastian's face. "You betrayed me?" "We had no other choice," Charlotte explained.

Sebastian's hazel eyes darkened with anger. He stormed towards Charlotte and grabbed her in a chokehold. She tried to free herself in panic, but it was in vain. Despite the years of hardship in Azkaban, Sebastian was still stronger than her. Slowly, he raised his wand to Charlotte's temple. "If I can't have you, no one can," he whispered.

Green light flashed twice in quick succession in the hut. A short time later, the Aurors found three bodies in the small house in the otherwise peaceful village of Bamburgh.

[clinko]

Advertising is a nightmare and I have no idea what I’m doing so I’m just gonna rant about the book that I’m writing

It’s got cool monsters in it. A not so secret society. Academic modern setting but with the Oxford gothic vibes ifykyk. Uhhh Ill-fated yin and yang lovers(not the main characters dw). Duo POV from our two main Characters, the student and teacher. Vigilantism— magical realism. Found family of course.

It’s called When Red Meets Blue and it should be getting published in August :) follow me for more updates. I’m sure it’ll be a fun time getting there